Big Government is Bad Government

I have never been so fascinated by a country as I am by this one. Driving around, especially in the countryside, you can see the vast opportunities available. This is a nation that should not be considered poor. Yet, despite the impressive houses and the numerous luxury cars on the road, it is still classified as a poor country. Why?

The reality is illogical. Frankly, I don’t intend to write a book; I want to keep this brief. My focus is simple: big government is bad government. Put differently, excessive government spending is bad governance. In recent years, the issue of excessive government expenditure has become a major global concern, but the situation in my country is on another level. This problem has caused a series of challenges for the citizens. The country is a perfect case study of a mismanaged economy.

For some time now, the country has been struggling with the consequences of excessive government spending. A key contributor to this issue is the large number of ministers in the government. With 85 ministers in the current administration (and at one point, over 100), the government has become bloated and costly. The high number of ministers has led to increased government spending, as each ministerial position comes with salaries, allowances, and administrative costs. This has significantly strained the government's budget, forcing it to raise taxes and resort to excessive borrowing to fund its operations.

The impact on citizens has been severe. Higher taxes have reduced disposable income, making it increasingly difficult for individuals to save, invest, and engage in economic activities that drive growth. Additionally, the growing public debt has become a significant drag on the economy, with interest payments consuming an increasing portion of the government's budget. Moreover, the government's reliance on money printing to finance its spending has contributed to inflation, eroding the purchasing power of citizens and raising the cost of living. This has made it increasingly difficult for people to afford basic necessities such as food, housing, and healthcare.

In all this, the rich become richer, the poor poorer, and the truth becomes harder to find...

To address this problem, the government must take a proactive approach to fiscal responsibility. The first key step is to reduce the number of ministers. By cutting down on ministerial positions, the government can significantly reduce its expenditure, freeing up resources for more productive investments that will benefit the citizens.

Additionally, the government should explore alternative revenue sources, such as promoting economic growth, attracting foreign investment, and improving tax collection efficiency, rather than relying solely on increasing taxes. This would help create a more sustainable fiscal framework that supports the well-being of citizens and fosters long-term economic prosperity.

By addressing the root causes of excessive government spending, including the high number of ministers, the government can work towards a more efficient and fiscally responsible system that better serves the needs of its citizens. This would not only ease the burden on taxpayers but also create an environment that enables greater economic opportunities and a higher standard of living for all Ghanaians.

Desmond John Beddy